Other Funding Resources

There are several funding options for businesses affected by COVID-19.

The St. Louis County Small Business Relief (“SBR”) Program will provide financial relief to small businesses that were closed during the Stay at Home Order. The grant can be used to pay for the costs of business interruption as a result of the business closing during the Stay at Home Order and to cover costs associated with reopening safely. Business interruption costs could include fixed operating costs during closure. Reopening costs could include acquiring personal protective equipment for employees or customers or installing plastic shields to reduce the risks of transmission between customers and employees.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

Eligibility:A business is eligible for an SBR grant if the business (including for-profit entities, sole proprietorships, and non-profit organizations) has its principal place of business in St. Louis County, had 50 or fewer full-time employees as of March 1, 2020, and was closed during the Stay at Home Order.

Total Amount of Grants per District: At this time, the SBR Program will award a maximum total of $2.5 million in grants per County Council district. Additional funding may be provided in the future.

Size of Grant: The SBR Program will award a one-time grant of $15,000 or less to a qualifying business. Any two or more businesses with common ownership of 25% or more are considered to be the same business for purposes of this paragraph.

Conflicts of Interest: No business may receive an SBR grant if the business has a director, officer, employee, agent, or sub-contractor that is an elected or appointed official of St. Louis County, an elected or appointed official of any municipality within St. Louis County, or is a member of the immediate family of any such elected or appointed official.

Non-Discrimination: In considering whether to award a grant, no person involved shall unlawfully discriminate against any business because of race, creed, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or any unlawful basis.

Disqualifications: Any business that is considered to not be in good standing with St. Louis County (by, for example, not complying with the Stay at Home Order or having retaliated against a person who reported violations to St. Louis County) shall be disqualified from receiving a grant under this program. A non-profit organization that operates a place of worship shall not be disqualified from receiving a grant under this program on that basis alone.

Local Marketing Grant Program

Local businesses are an important part of a community’s identity. Whether it is the jobs they create, the uniqueness they add, or the services they provide, they truly are the heartbeat of our neighborhoods. As the local leader in news and advertising, we want to be there for you during these uncertain times. Our Local Marketing Grant Program is another way we are looking to strengthen our communities, one business at a time.

All advertising products we offer are eligible for the matching grant, so we can help you address your distinct business objectives.

Grants will be issued up to $1,000,000 in total, ranging from $250 – $15,000 per month per client.

The Neighborhood Solidarity Fund seeks to expedite the recovery period in these areas by bolstering the human, organizational and economic infrastructure at the neighborhood level and includes three separate opportunities: the Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity grant, the Community Development Corporations (CDC) Stability grant and the Neighborhood Small Business Lift grant (applications now closed).

The Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity grant is available for formal and informal neighborhood associations and similar organizations to support organizing, connecting and communicating while upholding physical distancing guidelines. Grantees can use funds to implement a solution to connect to their neighbors in this time. Award amount will be determined by size of the area each connectivity project anticipates. To apply please complete the Neighborhood Innovations in Connectivity Application. If you are unable to complete the application using the web-based form, please call SLACO at 314-361-9406.

The CDC Stability grant is available for neighborhood-focused community development organizations to maintain core operations, staff and healthy work environments. Grantees may also use the funds to provide additional emergency services or financial support to the neighbors they serve. Award amount will be determined by the core operating expenses of each organization. To apply please complete the CDC Stability Application. If you are unable to complete the application using the web-based form, please call CBN at 314-730-5449 to complete the application by phone.

If you have additional questions about the Neighborhood Solidarity Fund, please review the FAQ. Please direct all questions or inquiries regarding the fund to [email protected].

UNIVERSITY CITY CREATES FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM

University City has created its own forgivable loan program for businesses impacted by Covid-19.

The city has set aside $1 million for the program, and funds can only be used to address operational needs such as payroll and payment to service providers, utilities and suppliers. University City businesses cannot use the funds for rent or capital purchases.

Applications will open May 4. Those interested will need to show proof of being approved for the Federal Payroll Protection Program or an SBA loan.

A special 2006 tax is supplying the fund, and no money is coming from the University City General Fund, the city said in a statement.

To learn more about the program potential applicants are encourage to contact Clifford Cross, Director of Planning and Development at 314 -505-8516, or email at [email protected].

Emergency Farm Loans

The Emergency loan program is triggered when a natural disaster is designated by the Secretary of Agriculture or a natural disaster or emergency is declared by the President under the Stafford Act. These loans help producers who suffer qualifying farm related losses directly caused by the disaster in a county declared or designated as a primary disaster or quarantine area. Also, farmers located in counties that are contiguous to the declared, designated, or quarantined area may qualify for Emergency loans.

For production losses, a 30% reduction in a primary crop in a designated or contiguous county is required. Losses to quality, such as receiving a 30% reduced price for flood damaged crops, may be eligible for assistance, too. Details here.

The Gateway Resilience Fund: This fund will provide short term monetary relief to employees and owners of independent bars, restaurants, and shops in the St. Louis area affected by closures and other circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Distribution of Funds: The fund will consider covering personal, family, living, or funeral expenses incurred as a result of the outbreak. The Gateway Resilience Fund will make direct grants to eligible applicants or pay their bills. In addition, there are grants available for small businesses in downtown St. Louis. See application for details.

The fund will direct aid to nonprofits already working with the elderly, those isolated and/or quarantined, and children who no longer receive free and reduced lunches. A coalition of more than 25 St. Louis area funders established the fund. Learn More

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